Forget the romcom aspect—it's secondary in Okitsura. If that's the only thing you're interested in, then this anime probably won't be for you. Otherwise, welcome to my review! I genuinely hope that you’ll be one of the very few people (~~maybe I’m the only one??~~) who might feel the same way I did while watching Okitsura :)
This review will be deeply personal and subjective. I’ll be sharing why this anime resonated so much with me, so please don’t take it as an objective critique. It may also be difficult to fully understand, given how indescribable some emotions and feelings can be. It’s going to be quite long, but I hope you take the time to read it. In any case, this review is mainly for those who will recognize themselves in my words.
I never imagined I’d feel compelled to write such a long review, also that my first real review will be about an anime like this—so niche, so unexpected. But for my own well-being, I need to talk about it. Maybe I can encourage a few people with tastes similar to mine to give it a try. If even one person who shares my expectations ends up watching and loving this anime because of me, that will already be a huge victory.
Okitsura has finally given me that feeling I had been searching for so long.
- How I discovered Okitsura and my first apprehension:
For a long time, I had been looking for a certain vibe, a specific feeling in an anime. When I saw Okitsura pop up on Anilist, I immediately assumed it was just another low-budget romcom, with an unnecessarily long title—something like Hokkaido Gals, but this time in Okinawa. I wasn’t looking for a romcom, though. I was looking for an anime that could give me THAT feeling (which I’ll explain later). But I already suspected that the vibe I was searching for would only be a pretext in this anime—a shallow backdrop to a standard romcom—and that I’d ultimately be disappointed.
I started watching the first episode with a lot of skepticism, almost to the point of wanting to fast-forward through it, convinced that I would drop it by the end of the episode.
But then, suddenly, in the middle of the episode, I had a revelation:
"Wait a minute… I actually love this? This feels like exactly what I was looking for!"
And with that, I started feeling that special emotion. I finished the episode completely focused, and from that point on, I binged the entire series in just a few days.
Now that I’ve finished it, I’m writing this review while experiencing that post-watch depression—that emptiness we sometimes feel after an anime has deeply touched us.
You might wonder: How can such a seemingly simple and average anime, with such low ratings, impact me so profoundly??? That’s exactly what I’ll try to explain.
- The feeling I had been searching for—and found in Okitsura:
Some anime aren’t just entertainment. They’re a genuine safe space—a soothing refuge that makes you feel good, that lets you escape from daily life in the most comforting way. Okitsura is the perfect example of this. It beautifully captures the essence of iyashikei, the genre I love so much. With its relaxing and heartwarming atmosphere, it gave me this indescribable feeling of comfort, happiness, and serenity.
It’s just a simple 12-episode slice-of-life anime, yet it gave me something that very few anime ever have.
__- It's all about the mood and atmosphere.
No, stop seeing this as a romcom. It’s not one.__
Unlike what I initially expected, the exact opposite turned out to be true. Okitsura isn’t a romcom where the setting is just a pretext for romance. Instead, romance is just a pretext to explore the setting!
What makes this anime unique is its dedication to making us travel and discover the unique culture of a rarely featured region in anime: Okinawa. Through the adventures of the characters—in what may seem like episodic storytelling—we follow Teru as he experiences the traditions, landscapes, dialect, lifestyle, and rich local culture of this region, all without ever feeling like a history lesson.
Over the course of 12 episodes, we are introduced to countless fascinating facts and anecdotes, each one interesting, funny, and leading to a variety of engaging situations with the characters.
It’s a true journey through Okinawa’s culture, making us want to visit and explore the island ourselves. In this sense, it feels like a love letter to Okinawa—almost like a tourism ad, highlighting the beauty and authenticity of the region.
The anime’s overall ambiance plays a massive role in the emotions I felt. The OST, the multiple beautiful endings, and the opening—performed by Okinawan musicians—show just how much the creators love this region and want to share it with us. I’ve been listening to the Okitsura soundtrack on repeat ever since, and I never get tired of it.
The anime’s atmosphere—like the Okinawan people and culture it portrays—is so warm and joyful. The music, too, carries this bittersweet beauty that almost brings me to tears, as it reminds me of the scenes, the characters, and this world as if they were my own memories...
More than just an anime, it was an emotional experience.
Beyond its visuals and cultural exploration, Okitsura is an emotional experience. The music, the endings, the overall peaceful vibe instantly filled me with an inexplicable nostalgia—like the distant echo of a happy time, a feeling that cannot be described, only felt. And that feeling perfectly aligns with the themes and messages of the story.
The characters are incredibly endearing. Yes, they are simple, even cliché, but they are perfectly executed within their archetypes. The dialogue is genuinely funny, and Teru’s constant amazement at everything he learns becomes a hilarious and charming running gag.
Despite having only a small cast, their personalities work together beautifully, making everything feel real. Their friendship, their daily lives, their laughter… It makes you want to be part of their world, to share those moments with them, to live in Okinawa with this tight-knit, happy community.
I’m naturally curious, and I found myself constantly looking up images and details on Google about the things, animals and cultural facts mentioned in the anime. I even explored Okinawan villages on Google Maps. I can’t think of many anime—if any—that have made me do that.
- The romcom aspect:
While romance is present, it’s very much secondary—and I loved that. There’s almost no fan service, and the relationships are sweet, innocent, and comedic rather than overly dramatic. It keeps that wholesome, lighthearted flirting dynamic that fits the anime’s atmosphere so well.
Despite covering an entire school year, the anime barely focuses on school itself. Instead, it creates a warm, stress-free ambiance that makes it feel like the characters are on vacation all year round. This only strengthens that comforting feeling I experienced.
Final thoughts:
This anime was, for me, a true therapy. It brought me so much peace and joy that I can already see myself rewatching it whenever I need comfort.
Okitsura is not a romcom—it’s a cultural journey through Okinawa, wrapped in a heartwarming iyashikei atmosphere, full of humor, lovable characters, adorable relationships, and music so warm and nostalgic that it makes you want to visit—or even live in Okinawa.
It gave me a rare sense of comfort and security, but now I feel so sad that I can’t be part of this world, that I can’t join this amazing group of friends and experience their culture alongside them. I feel like I’m leaving them behind, and the thought of not having a second season yet (or maybe ever) is heartbreaking.
After 12 episodes, I feel like I became their friend and shared those precious moments with them. I will never forget them.
__Okitsura wasn’t just nether an anime—it was a warm, comforting and true journey— that captures the very essence of iyashikei, offering a unique and deeply insightful immersion into Okinawan culture. All of this is accompanied by funny and endearing characters, touching and adorable relationships, a soothing atmosphere, and a gentle nostalgia that will leave an indelible mark on my heart.
__
I'm so glad I started to watch this show... I'll never judge a low-rated anime unfairly again before trying (~~and you should too~~)
Thank you, Okitsura. Thank you, Teru, Kana, Hina, and Okinawa. I’ll be following the manga closely while waiting for a second season (if even there is one...).
And as Hina would say "nji mensooree" <3
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